The Bellarine’s new flavour

THE Bellarine has gained a new culinary dining experience with the addition of Upstairs Bellarine.

A shared table experience, the Drysdale restaurant features a modern Australian with a Filipino heritage cuisine, led by chefs José Morales and Alyanna Hermoso.

Morales said when it came to the menu, dishes featured vegetables and seafood from local purveyors, while the two chefs worked their magic to introduce people to a Filipino cuisine.

“We’re really excited to share this type of dining in the area, since Filipino cuisine is not really well known yet around the area, even in Melbourne.

“It’s such a great opportunity for us to share our culture and our different Filipino flavours here, and people really seem to love it, the ones who have had it already.”

Located upstairs at the Bellarine Smokehouse and Provedore, the restaurant welcomes people inside with an intimate setting, mood lighting and large share tables.

Diners can also watch on as their meals are prepared behind them in the open kitchen and interact with the chefs throughout the experience.

Hermoso said when people visited Upstairs Bellarine, staff wanted them to feel like they were at home.

“We want to give it that type of vibe, if you want to look at the kitchen and walk around, that’s totally fine, it’s not like you’re in a still restaurant or anything, it’s very relaxed.

“You have the sharing table, so that idea is if you’re a solo diner… here you won’t feel alone, you get to chat to whoever’s right beside you and go around the room and talk to other people.”

Wine is also a big part of Upstairs Bellarine’s appeal, offering diners a local wine progression with their meal.

The drinks list if made up of drops from some of the region’s biggest producers including McGlashan’s Estate, Scotchman’s Winery, Circulus Wines and many more.

The restaurant is strongly supported by Bellarine Smokehouse and Provedore owner Sarah Fenton, who is also front of house and has an extensive knowledge of the wine offerings.

“I’ve tasted most of the wine locally through habit and I know most of the wine makers or wine vendor operators and I think we’ve got one of the best wine regions in Australia,” she said.

“I love supporting small producers because not everyone’s got a cellar door, not everyone’s selling through Dan Murphy’s.

“For all of those vineyards that have a cellar door on a weekend, but not Monday to Friday, we’re open seven days a week here.”

The business owner’s love of supporting others extends to Morales and Hermoso as they take on the new dining experience.

“What I love is supporting José and Yanna [Alyanna]. I think everyone throughout their career and throughout their life needs people who will support them to take the next step.

“When I met these two, they’re lovely people, they’re generous, they’re grateful and they work hard and here’s the talent.”

For more information, head to bellarinesmokehouse.com